Genetic Counseling in Kidney Disease: A Perspective.

As genetic testing is increasingly integrated into nephrology practice there is a growing need for partnership with genetic experts. Genetic counselors are ideally suited to fill this role. The value of genetic counseling is born out of the clinical value of genetic test results against the backdrop of the complexity of genetic testing.

Impacts of RETN genetic polymorphism on breast cancer development in Beni-Suef females, Egypt.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females with increasing incidence and death rates. Resistin is pro-inflammatory molecule which shares in diverse cellular signaling pathways. This study aimed to evaluate resistin and RETN rs3219175 gene polymorphism and their relevance to diagnostic susceptibility, prognostic value, and genetic risk among Egyptian female patients with breast cancer.

Impact of Cognitive Dysfunction in the Middle East Depressed Patients: The ICMED Study.

Background: Major depressive disorder is a common condition with a high rate of recurrence, chronicity, and affecting economic burden, including disability in the workplace, which leads to negative consequences on both individuals and society.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the impact of cognitive dysfunction, as declared by the patient, on performing daily tasks/activities among patients with major depression disorder (MDD).

Methods: This investigation is based on multinational cross-sectional survey of 499 workers recruited from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Use of second-generation antipsychotics in the acute inpatient management of schizophrenia in the Middle East.

Background: Management of acute psychotic episodes in schizophrenic patients remains a significant challenge for clinicians. Despite treatment guidelines recommending that second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) should be used as monotherapy, first-generation antipsychotics, polypharmacy, and lower than recommended doses are frequently administered in clinical practice. Minimal data exist regarding the use of SGAs in the Middle East.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: what internists need to know.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is an emerging entity that affects the skin and internal organs in patients with renal insufficiency and may end in death. More than 215 cases have been reported to the NSF registry at Yale University and more than 700 cases have been reported world-wide. There is a growing concern about gadolinium contrast media as being the major player in NSF development.

An evidence-based approach to minimise contrast-induced nephropathy.

Contrast-induced nephropathy is a significant cause of iatrogenic renal injury and its incidence is growing due to the increasing number of diagnostic and interventional procedures being performed. It is the third most common cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure, adding to patient morbidity and mortality, and extending hospital stay.

Cost and outcome of treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia at the National Cancer Institute-Egypt.

Background: Despite important advances in the therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the majority of patients die of their disease, unless bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is done. Infection and hemorrhage are still the major causes of mortality in AML patients. Progress in therapy and supportive care has led to gradual improvement in the overall results, but further improvements are still needed.

A prognostic index (bladder prognostic index) for bilharzial-related invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: Bladder cancer is still the most common solid tumor among adult males in Egypt because of the prevalence of bilharzial infestation, especially in the countryside. In this prospective study, we have recorded the prognostic factors for 180 patients with invasive bladder cancer for whom standard radical cystectomy had been performed to develop a prognostic index (bladder prognostic index) that defines high risk patients who are more vulnerable to disease relapse after surgery and who may benefit from additional therapy.

Patients And Methods: The study was performed between January 1997 and December 1999, in which 180 patients with histopathologically proved invasive bladder cancer associated with bilharziasis underwent radical cystectomy or anterior pelvic exenteration.